Reactions pour in after case dropped against KNEECAP's Mo Chara

Reactions have poured in after KNEECAP member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was acquitted of all charges today.

Ó hAnnaidh, aka Mo Chara, was charged with a terrorism offence for allegedly holding a Hezbollah flag at a November 2024 concert. The case was thrown out by the chief magistrate at Woolwich Crown Court this morning over a technical error in the manner the charge against him was brought.

In a post on X, defence lawyer Darragh Mackin said, "The prosecution case was instituted unlawfully. The case ends today. Victory to Mo Chara. Victory to Kneecap. Victory to the freedom of expression."

KNEECAP posted a statement from Mo Chara on Instagram shortly after the proceedings concluded.

"This entire process was never about me, never about any threat to the public and never about 'terrorism', a word used by your government to discredit people you oppress," the statement read.

"It was always about Gaza. About what happens if you dare to speak up. As people from Ireland we know oppression, colonialism, famine and genocide. We have suffered and still suffer under 'your empire'.

"Your attempts to silence us have failed, because we are right, and you are wrong. We will not be silent. We said we would fight you in your court and we would win. We have. If anyone on this planet is guilty of terrorism, it is the British state."

 

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The band's manager, Daniel Lambert, celebrated the news in a post on X, writing, "We have won!!!!!!"

"Liam Óg is a free man," Lambert said.

"Political policing has failed. Kneecap is on the right side of history. Britain is not. Free Palestine."

We have won!!!!!!

Liam Óg is a free man.

We said we would fight them and win.

We did. (Twice)

Kneecap has NO charges OR convictions in ANY country, EVER.

Political policing has failed.

Kneecap is on the right side of history.

Britain is not.

Free Palestine 🇵🇸

— Daniel Lambert (@dlLambo) September 26, 2025

First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill said "I strongly welcome this decision" in a post on X.

"These charges were part of a calculated attempt to silence those who stand up and speak out against the Israeli genocide in Gaza," O'Neill said.

"Kneecap have used their platform on stages across the world to expose this genocide, and it is the responsibility of all of us to continue speaking out and standing against injustice in Palestine."

All charges have been dropped against Kneecap’s Mo Chara.

I strongly welcome this decision.

These charges were part of a calculated attempt to silence those who stand up and speak out against the Israeli genocide in Gaza.

Kneecap have used their platform on stages across the… pic.twitter.com/MYqczGSmVp

— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) September 26, 2025

The sentiment was echoed by Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, who said the charges were an attempt to "shut him up."

"Mo Chara spoke out against Israel’s genocide, for the people of Gaza, for a free Palestine," McDonald said.

"The charges were an attempt to shut him up, to silence protest. It failed. He’s free. Kneecap are not the story, Genocide is the story. Saoirse don Phalaistín!"

Belfast People Before Profit MP Gerry Carroll said he was "very glad to hear" the news, writing, "The people arming and funding the genocide are the ones who should really be in the dock."

Very glad to hear Liam Óg / Mo Chara has been acquitted on all charges.

This was always a spurious attempt by the British state to clamp down on Palestine solidarity + artistic expression.

The people arming and funding the genocide are the ones who should really be in the dock.

— Gerry Carroll (@GerryCarrollPBP) September 26, 2025

The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) took to Facebook to celebrate the news, writing that the "ridiculous case should never have been brought against" Mo Chara.

"The British government is intent on shutting down free speech in solidarity with Palestine while arming apartheid Israel's genocide," IPSC wrote.

The Peace & Justice Project, created by British independent MP Jeremy Corbyn, posted a video of the solidarity demonstration for Mo Chara outside of the courthouse.

"The government has tried to criminalise solidarity with the Palestinian people, including bringing terror charges against artists using their platform to call out the British role in the Gaza genocide," read the caption.

"They have failed. KNEECAP's Mo Chara is free."

The government has tried to criminalise solidarity with the Palestinian people, including bringing terror charges against artists using their platform to call out the British role in the Gaza genocide.

They have failed. @KNEECAPCEOL’s Mo Chara is free.pic.twitter.com/2Rq3JtO2Hu

— Peace & Justice Project (@corbyn_project) September 26, 2025

British columnist Owen Jones commented on the news, writing, "Kneecap fought the law, and the law lost."

"This victory for KNEECAP is a victory for everyone speaking out against Israel’s genocide," Jones said.

"One day, it will be those who facilitated the genocide hauled before courts. And those cases will not be thrown out."

Fellow Irish musician Radie Peat, who featured on KNEECAP's track '3CAG', shared a photo of her hugging Mo Chara on an Instagram story, joking, "My favourite little terrorist is FREE!"

New York-based Irish band O'Laochra commented on the band's Instagram post about the news, "Maith sibh buachaillí (English: Well done boys)."

The Féile an Phobail posted on X, "comghairdeas (English: congratulations)" to Mo Chara "after the malicious charges against him were dropped today."

"This was a deliberate attempt to silence Mo Chara & all those who have spoken out against the Israeli genocide in Gaza," Féile an Phobail said.

"Keep speaking out! Use your Voice! Free Palestine!"

KNEECAP performed at the Féile in 2023. Band member Móglaí Bap made a surprise appearance at this year's festival last month.

Some opponents of KNEECAP and their activism expressed disapproval of Mo Chara's acquittal.

UK Shadow Home Secretary and Conservative MP Chris Philp called Attorney General Richard Hermer "grossly incompetent" for failing to file the charges in time, the technicality which caused the case to be thrown out.

Scumbags Kneecap expressed support for Hamas, a banned terrorist organisation. This is illegal

But the prosecution failed as Attorney General Lord Hermer somehow forgot to give the required consent in time

He is clearly grossly incompetent or worse & Starmer should sack him https://t.co/t9ug5bxcSh

— Chris Philp MP (@CPhilpOfficial) September 26, 2025

Alex Burghart, Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, asked on X, "If the Attorney General has made a mistake which led to failure of justice why hasn’t he taken responsibility?" Burghart suggested Hermer should apologise or even resign.

Conservative UK Shadow Secretary of State for Justice Robert Jenrick denounced Hermer for not being present at the hearing and suggested Hermer has "displayed breathtaking incompetence."

Why was the most senior law officer in govt not across a high-profile terrorism case?

Lord Hermer has either displayed breathtaking incompetence or his hard left politics have influenced his conduct.

He brings fresh embarrassment to the Government every day. https://t.co/CwVXiB2Prp

— Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) September 26, 2025

At the time of writing, Hermer has not publicly issued an announcement or comment on the case's dismissal.